Taiwan

Taiwan Pingtung Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

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The Taiwan Pingtung Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, which is also know as National Museum Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA), is located in Ping-tung County where it is bordered by the Taiwan Strait on the west and Tortoise Mountain on the east. The total area covers approximately 97 hectares, with the aquarium area covering 612,200 square meters and contains 17,454 tons of water. The NMMBA, which is operated by the government and Hi-Scene World Enterprise CO. LTD, is successful case of BOT in Taiwan. The NMMBA costs approximately NT.8 billion (About USD.24 million) to complete the whole buildings and opened to the public on July 1, 2000. The NMMBA attracts 2 million visitors every year and provides 2,157 parking spaces for cars and 96 for buses.

Based on the spirit of endless life, the NMMBA is divided into 3 exhibit- Waters of Taiwan, Coral Kingdom, and Waters of the World.

The first exhibit, Waters of Taiwan, fully displays the ecological environment of Taiwan and nearby waters. The NMMBA has places verisimilar models of natural landscapes, allowing visitors as water droplets which taking a journey from high mountain streams, composed of snow and rainwater, downstream to the riverbeds which are cut and washed cut, reaching the gentle middle river and water’s edge, where different substances are carried by the river into the ocean. The journey of water droplets can best display the marine diversity of Taiwan.

The second exhibit is Coral Kingdom. Upon entering the pavilion decorated with living corals and tropical fishes, visitors are enveloped by a giant cylindrical tank as they descend stairs. An 84-meter-long underwater tunnel starts here. By exploring the huge tank containing 1.5 million gallons of water, visitors can enjoy the splendid and colorful coral world.

The third exhibit, Waters of the World, shows visitors all about how life evolved from the oceans. Combing advanced technologies, such as 3D animation, interactive facilities and digital audio-visual techniques with living marine creatures let visitors to enter a virtual reality environment and infuse fun into education. Waters of the World contains 4 main themes- Ancient Ocean, Kelp Forest, Deep Sea and Polar Seas, as well as Discovery Zone for children.

The NMMBA displays 425 species of living marine creatures, and the amount is over 10,000, including 323 species of fish, 92 species of invertebrates, 2 species of reptiles, 6 species of birds, and 2 species of mammals. The whale shark, 5 species of penguins, seals and beluga whales make strong impression on the visitors. Besides, the NMMBA breaks through the difficulties to carry out the cultivation of clown anemone fish (Amphiprion Ocellaris), proceeding a mass cultivation plan. Since now, the NMMBA has cultivated the third group of clown anemone fish, distributing cultivation techniques to the whole world.

Since 2001, the NMMBA arranges a very special ecological experience activity- Sleepover. This activity has made people’s dreams come true about diving at night without danger. People who join Sleepover can experience a different tour from normal visit during the daytime; they can have a night adventure in the marine world and fall asleep with marine creatures. Imaging how wonderful will be when you wake up in the morning, and these marine creatures will greet another beautiful day with you!